Ink Viscosity Tracking in Cartridge Liquid Chamber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image recording apparatuses cannot accurately estimate the viscosity of ink in a cartridge after it has been used, as they only consider the time elapsed since manufacture, ignoring changes due to sedimentation that occur after the cartridge is mounted and in use.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus divides the ink chamber into multiple regions in the up-down direction, determining viscosity based on time elapsed since connection and updating viscosity values based on the amount of ink discharged, using a controller and a cartridge memory to store and manage viscosity data for each region.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the cartridge stores ink for a long time after manufacture, then the pigment sediments and viscosity increases, but the existing system cannot accurately track viscosity changes after the cartridge is mounted and in use
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid chamber is divided into multiple regions in the up-down direction, with each region having its own viscosity determination. This segmentation allows tracking of viscosity changes at different locations within the chamber, capturing the gradient caused by pigment sedimentation over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously updates viscosity information based on the amount of liquid discharged from the head. This feedback mechanism allows the controller to track viscosity changes dynamically after the cartridge is mounted, adjusting the viscosity estimates based on actual usage patterns and discharge amounts.
2Device complexity
If the system only tracks time since manufacture, then the tracking mechanism is simple, but it cannot account for viscosity changes that occur after the cartridge is mounted and in use
Solution Approach 1:
The viscosity determination is made dynamic by updating it based on the amount of liquid discharged from the head. Instead of a static time-based estimate, the system continuously adapts viscosity values for each region based on actual usage, improving reliability while managing complexity through efficient update mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller pre-divides the liquid chamber into multiple regions and establishes initial viscosity estimates for each region before actual use. This preliminary setup allows the system to be ready to track viscosity changes from the moment the cartridge is mounted, without requiring complex real-time calculations during operation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the cartridge is shaken before first use to agitate the ink, then initial mixing is improved, but viscosity changes after mounting cannot be addressed
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the amount of liquid discharged to continuously update viscosity estimates for each region. This allows the system to adapt to composition changes that occur after mounting, compensating for the limitations of pre-use shaking and maintaining accurate viscosity tracking throughout the cartridge's lifecycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The user is prompted to shake the cartridge before first use as a preliminary action to agitate the ink and reduce initial sedimentation. This preliminary mixing, combined with the subsequent dynamic tracking system, provides a two-stage approach to maintaining ink homogeneity and accuracy.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for accurate estimation of ink viscosity changes after the cartridge is in use, enabling precise control of ink discharge and preventing non-discharge issues due to increased viscosity, thus improving image recording quality.
Implementation Method 1
The change in the viscosity of the ink due to sedimentation of a pigment contained in the ink occurs not only in a period from a time point immediately after manufacture of the cartridge to a time point when the cartridge starts to be used, but also in a period after the cartridge starts to be used.
Data Source
AI summary
An image recording apparatus, including: a holder on which a cartridge including a liquid chamber storing a liquid is mountable; a liquid-passage defining portion defining a liquid passage including a first end and a second end connected to the head, the first end configured to be connected to the liquid chamber when the cartridge is mounted on the holder; and a controller, wherein the controller is configured to divide a region in the liquid chamber occupied by the liquid into a plurality of regions in an up-down direction and determine a viscosity of the liquid in each region, based on a time elapsed from a timing of connection of the liquid chamber and the first end of the liquid passage, and wherein, when the liquid is discharged from the head, the controller updates the viscosity in each region, based on an amount of the liquid discharged from the head.